Trump to Serve as Honorary Chairman at Medinah Country club
President Donald Trump has announced that he has accepted an invitation to serve as Honorary Chairman of the upcoming Presidents Cup, which will be held at Medinah Country Club in Chicago. Trump announced the development himself, stating that the requests had come from the PGA Tour and the Tour’s new commissioner Brian Rolapp, and that he was flattered to accept.
Trump stated in his remarks that the matches in 2026 would be a can’t-miss event, and that his teams from both the U.S. and International were loaded with talent. Trump also remarked that he was looking forward to attending the matches in person and meeting the athletes from both sides of the draw, thanking the Tour for the kind invitation.
Why This Announcement Is of Interest to the 2026 Presidents Cup
The role of Honorary Chairman is one long-standing at the Presidents Cup. The matches’ inaugural edition in the U.S. was at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in 1994, and the then-president of the United States, Gerald Ford, served in the capacity. Ever since, a rotating series of sitting and former U.S. presidents have taken roles, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama so far – when the matches have been held on American soil.
It will not be the first time for Trump to have taken up this role. He served as Honorary Chairman in 2017 for the Presidents Cup, which was played at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. His return to the role in 2026 reflects his long-standing ties with the PGA Tour as well.
New PGA Tour Leadership Behind the Invitation
As the news was announced by the new President Donald Trump, attention is sure to focus on his newly-promoted PGA Tour Commissioner, Brian Rolapp.
Recently promoted to the role of PGA Tour Commissioner, Brian Rolapp has overseen the beginning of an era for the organization. With the announcement of a new Championship Series consisting of signature events, and the major championships, and either the Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup as an expanded, higher-purse schedule, Rolapp has begun to push out his plans for the future while maintaining the traditions of the game. Bringing in President Trump as an Honorary Chairman is certainly an eye-catching way Rolapp has decided to begin his tenure.
Details Behind the 2026 Presidents Cup
The 2026 Presidents Cup will be the sixteenth edition of the biennial men’s team golf tournament, with the top American players facing off against an International team composed of players from outside Europe. The highlights of the event will be as follows:
- Host: Medinah Country Club
- Location: Course No. 3 in Medinah, Illinois (just outside of Chicago)
- Match Dates: Late September 2026
- Captains: Brandt Snedeker (U.S.) and Geoff Ogilvy (International)
- Format: 12-a-side match play, with the U.S. being the overwhelming favorites to win
Course No. 3 in Medinah has been renovated recently – it has hosted the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship in the past, and will look to add the President’s Cup to its list of accolades as a premier golf destination.
Looking Ahead
With venues finalized, new captains joining the event, and the addition of an Honorary Chairman, attention will turn to the qualification process. The rosters will be filled out based off of world rankings and points with captain’s picks filling the remaining spots in the 12-man squad for the teams on both sides of the draw when the 2026 PGA Tour season begins.
Golf fans worldwide can rest assured that there will be plenty of information coming out about the 2026 Presidents Cup, including ticket purchasing options, and hospitality access, as the matches approach. The upcoming edition of the men’s team golf tournament promises to be an intriguing, closely-watched event for spectators.
This article was written based off of a public statement released by President Donald Trump, as well as public information concerning the 2026 Presidents Cup.
